Denise,
I teach 3rd through 12th grade. I've taught for seven years and this works
for me.
I have seven tables with four chairs each. Most classes only use six of the
seven tables. Every table is numbered, and every seat is numbered. Clean up
goes like this:
Ten minutes before the end of class:
1) Table one will collect the work and place it on my desk or in
the drying
racks.
2) Table two will empty the water buckets and replace the clean
water.
3) Table three will collect the paints, or supplies and clean them
off before
returning them to the check area ( where I stand- inspecting all
returned items)
4) Table four will wash the tables and dry them off.
5) Table five will be responsible to rinse out the sinks and
replace paper
towel to each tables.
6) Table six will check the floors for trash and stray supplies
and return
them.
I not only have them clean up - but they prepare for my next class when
possible.
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This works well for elementary and middle -the only variation would be with
the
assignment and the chores given each table. Or I'll assign a chore to a
person at each table....ei: #1 person -collect papers
#2 person collect palettes and brushes , wash and
return to me,
#3- etc.
Everybodies busy, nobody is a slacker.
High school we give a 8 minute clean up warning.and I stand at the sinks and
collect brushes palettes etc. as they are turned in -CLEAN.
If they have a palette used from one day to the next -they write their name
on the foil or place their name on the masking tape on the cover and clean it
when they finish with it.
KEY to SUCCESS: Your diligence to observe clean up time
will save you time cleaning up
after them.